Chemiluminescent enzyme assay method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method for quantifying antigen or antibody using 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivative or 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivative chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed. Also, various enzymes were quantified using ODI derivative or DOB derivative CL detection. Fluorescent compound formed from a substrate (non-fluorescent compound) through the enzyme assay methods emitted CL when the fluorescent compound received energy from high-energy intermediate formed in ODI derivative or ODB derivative CL reaction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/761,721, filed Apr. 16, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/169,928 filed Apr. 16, 2009.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention involves chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays (CLEIAs) capable of quantifying antigen content using 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivative or 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivative chemiluminescence (CL) detection.

BACKGROUND

Even though radioimmunoassay (RIA) developed in 1960 is applied to quantify trace levels of biomolecules (e.g., hormone, tumor markers) the use of isotope molecules tagged antigen or antibody has various problems related to stability of labeled biomarkers (e.g., short half-life, radiolysis) and safety (e.g., laboratory personnel, waste, the requirement of building special laboratory facilities).

In order to solve the problems occurring from RIA, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) methods capable of quantifying various biomarkers with an enzyme rather than radioactivity as the reporter label were developed with various detections. Sensitivity of EIA depends on the physical properties of applied detection method such as colorimeter, fluorescence, and chemiluminescence. EIA with chemiluminescence detection using luminol or 1,2-dioxetane is much more sensitive than other immunoassays including RIA. Also, the sensitivity of chemiluminescence EIA (CLEIA) is better than those of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) using acridinium ester- or Ruthenium chelate-labeled antigen or antibody. Thus, CLEIA is widely applied to quantify toxic biomolecules and drugs as well as to diagnose various diseases. However, applications of CLEIA commercialized in the current market aren't as wide as those of fluorescence EIA. This is because luminol and 1,2-dioxetane derivatives widely applied as a CL substrate under CLEIA only react with a specific label enzyme. For example, CLEIA using luminol is applied when luminol reacts with antigen or antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for 15˜60 minutes. In the case of CLEIA using 1,2-dioxetane derivatives, maximum CL is measured when 1,2-dioxetane and antigen or antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are incubated for 5˜60 minutes.

It is well-known that peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (POCL) detection is much more sensitive and selective than other CL detections. Unfortunately however, due to the instability of POCL reagents (e.g., bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)oxalate (DNPO), bis(2,4,6-thrichlorophenyl)oxalate (TCPO)) in aqueous solution, it is difficult to apply POCL detection in CLEIA.

Recently, 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivatives¹ and 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (DOB) derivatives² were synthesized as new POCL reagents. Trace levels of fluorescent biomolecules dissolved in aqueous solution were quantified using the new POCL reagents, based on the reaction mechanism shown in Scheme 1 and 2, even though they are also unstable in aqueous solution. This was possible because the reaction between H₂O₂ and ODI or ODB is faster than their decomposition in aqueous solution. Using the chemical and physical properties of the new POCL reagents, novel CLEIA was developed. The sensitivity of this CLEIA was better than that of currently applied CLEIA. Also, the applications of CLEIA using ODI or ODB derivatives were as wide as those of fluorescence EIA because low concentrations of antigen or antibody conjugated to various enzymes including HRP and ALP were quantified under the novel CLEIA.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method for the quantification of antigen using ODI derivative or ODB derivative CL detections. The method of this invention provides an accurate, fast, precise, reproducible and simple way to quantify biomarkers (e.g., proteins, cells) using enzyme-conjugated antigen or enzyme-conjugated antibody, and gene product mutations using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). According to one of several embodiments of the invention, a fluorescent compound can be linked directly to an antibody or antigen of interest, or it can be linked indirectly via a secondary (detection) antibody and an enzyme and appropriate substrate. Alternatively, quantum dots also can be used to signal the presence of an antigen, antibody, or mutation of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a calibration curve which quantifies total T4 in CLEIA using T4-HRP conjugate and OD4MI CL detection;

FIG. 2. shows a calibration curve to quantify total T4 in CLEIA using T4-ALP conjugate and OD4MI CL detection;

FIG. 3. shows a calibration curve to quantify total TSH in CLEIA using TSH detection antibody-HRP conjugate and OD4MI CL detection;

FIG. 4 shows a calibration curve to quantify total TSH in CLEIA using TSH detection antibody-ALP conjugate, 30 μM FDP, and OD4MI CL detection; and

FIG. 5 shows a calibration curve for the quantification of H₂O₂ in human serum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method using ODI or ODB derivative CL detection capable of quantifying biomarkers (e.g., gene, protein, cell) widely applied to diagnose various diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiac aliment, diabetes, infectious diseases, thyroid) and analyze toxic materials and drugs.

In the CLEIA method of the present invention, the surface of polystyrene strip wells or magnetic beads is coated with a monoclonal primary antibody of an antigen of interest. The magnetic beads are diluted using assay buffer solution in borosilicate glass test tubes (10×75 mm).

Standard and test samples are prepared. Standard samples are references in which the quantity of antigen in the sample is known, whereas test samples are samples in which the quantity of antigen in the sample is to be determined. Appropriate volume (20˜50 μl) of standard and test samples were inserted into each polystyrene strip well or each test tube.

In order to observe sandwich CLEIA, 50˜100 μl detection antibody-labeled HRP or ALP is added into each polystyrene strip well or each test tube. In the case of competitive CLEIA, 50˜100 μl antigen-labeled HRP or ALP is added into each polystyrene strip well or test tube.

The polystyrene strip wells or test tubes are mixed for a short period of time and incubated for an appropriate amount of time (15˜30 minutes). All unbound material on the surface of polystyrene strip well or magnetic bead are removed by washing it with washing buffer solution. The magnetic beads in the test tube are washed with a magnetic separator.

100˜200 μl HRP-substrate (e.g., Amplex Red, 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAPN)) solution containing H₂O₂ or 100˜250 μl ALP-substrate (e.g., fluorescein diphosphate (FDP), 4-methyl umbelliferyl phosphate (MUP), 3-O-methyl fluorescein phosphate) dissolved in various buffer solutions are added into each polystyrene strip tube or each test tube. The polystyrene strip tubes and test tubes are incubated for 1.0˜15 minutes. The incubation time is dependent on the reaction activity between enzyme conjugated to an antigen or antibody and enzyme-substrate.

After the incubation, the solution in each polystyrene strip tube or each test tube is transferred into a 0.5 ml centrifuge tube. 10 μl of solution transferred into the centrifuge tube is added into a polypropylene 96-well plate or a borosilicate glass test tube (12×75 mm).

The polypropylene 96-well plate is input to a microplate reader with a CL detection and two dispensers. The glass test tube is input to a luminometer with two dispensers. A 40 ml vial containing H₂O₂ dissolved in isopropyl alcohol is connected to a dispenser. A 40 ml vial containing ODI or ODB is connected to the other dispenser. Finally, CL emitted in each well or test tube was measured when 25 μl H₂O₂ and 25 μl ODI or ODB were added into each well through the dispensers.

Based on CL emissions measured in the presence of wide concentrations of standard samples, a calibration curve (x axis: concentration of sample, y axis: CL intensity) is plotted. The concentration of test sample is determined using the calibration curve and CL emission measured in the presence of each test sample.

EXAMPLES Reagents and Kits

Chemicals: Bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate (TCPO), Imidazole (ImH), 2-Methylimidazole (2MImH), 2-Ethylimidazole (2EImH), 4-Methylimidazole (4MImH), o-phenylenediamine (OPDA), 30% Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid sodium salt, MgCl₂, and CaCl₂ were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Ethyl acetate (HPLC grade), Isopropyl alcohol (HPLC grade), deionized water (LC-MS grade), and Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were purchased from EMD chemicals. Amplex Red was purchased from Biotium. Fluorescein diphosphate, tetraammonium salt (FDP) and 4-methyl umbelliferyl phosphate (MUP) were purchased from AnaSpec. 0.1 M sodium phosphate EDTA buffer solution (pH 7.4) was purchased from Teknova. Sterile human serum was purchased from Rockland Immunochemicals. Thyroid panel (Triidothyronine (T3), Thyroxine T4, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)), Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) as one of AccuLite® CLIA kits applied with luminol CL detection was purchased from Monobind. Total human serum T4 EIA kit and Human TSH EIA kit were purchased from Immunometrics (UK) Ltd. 1,2-dioxetane and luminol CL reagents prepared under optimum condition were purchased from KPL.

Instruments

In order to measure light under various CLEIA conditions, Luminoskan Ascent with two dispensers (Thermo Scientific) and LB 9507 Luminometer with two dispensers (Berthold Technologies) were used.

Example 1 Competitive CLEIA Procedure A. Quantification of Total T4 Using T4-HRP Conjugate and ODI Derivative CL Detection Preparation

AccuLite® CLIA kit capable of quantifying T4 with luminol CL detection was used to develop new CLEIA method using ODI derivative CL detection. The kit is composed of 96 strip wells coated with streptavidin, T4-HRP conjugate, T4 antibody-labeled biotin, luminol as a substrate, reaction buffer, and washing buffer.

6 different T4 serum samples (0, 30, 50, 85, 160, 305 nmole/L), components of Total Human Serum T4 EIA kit, were used as standard samples.

As a substrate for ODI derivative CL detection, 50 μM Amplex Red reagent containing 2.0 mM H₂O₂ in deionized water was prepared. The working solution was prepared with the following components;

-   -   25 μl of 10 mM Amplex Red stock solution prepared with DMSO.     -   500 μl of 20 mM H₂O₂ prepared in deionized water.     -   4.475 ml deionized water.

1,1′-Oxalyldi-4-methyl-imidazole (OD4MI), one of ODI derivatives was formed from the reaction between 5.0 μM TCPO, and 10.0 μM 4-Methylimidazole (4MImH) in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol. Another ODI derivative (e.g., 1,1′-Oxalyldiimidazole (ODI), 1,1′-Oxalyldi-2-methyl-imidazole (OD2MI), 1,1′-Oxalyldi-2-ethyl-imidazole (OD2EI)) were formed from the reaction between 5.0 μM TCPO and 10.0 μM a imidazole derivative (e.g, ImH, 2MImH, 2EImH) in Ethyl acetate.

Procedure

-   -   1. Pipette 25 μl of the serum T4 standard and test samples into         the assigned strip wells coated with primary antibody for T4,         which is a component of AccuLite® CLIA kit.     -   2. Add 50 μl of T4-HRP conjugate to each strip well containing         serum standard or test sample     -   3. Add 50 μl of T4 antibody conjugated to biotin to each strip         well.     -   4. Swirl the strip wells for 20 seconds.     -   5. Incubate for 20 minutes at 37° C.     -   6. Discard the contents of each strip well.     -   7. Wash each plate with 300 μl washing buffer. Repeat four         additional times.     -   8. Add 100 μl working solution containing 50 μM Amplex Red and         2.0 mM H₂O₂ to each strip well.     -   9. Incubate for 5 minutes at room temperature (21˜23° C.) in the         dark.     -   10. Transfer the working solution (100 μl) in each strip well         into a 0.5 ml centrifuge tube.     -   11. Pipette 10 μl of working solution into the assigned test         tube (12×75 mm) or strip well. Store the rest in 0.5 ml         centrifuge tube in a refrigerator (4° C.)     -   12. Insert the test tube into a luminometer or the strip well         into a microplate luminometer.     -   13. Read CL emitted when OD4MI and H₂O₂ are added into the test         tube or strip well through two dispensers.

Resorufin is formed from the reaction of HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂. The fluorescent product Resorufin is excited when high-energy intermediate (X), formed from the reaction between OD4MI and H₂O₂, transfers energy to resorufin. And then, the excited resorufin emit strong CL (see Scheme 3).

As shown in FIG. 1, the calibration curve having good R² was obtained under a wide concentration range of T4. The dynamic range (30˜305 nmol/L) under OD4MI CL detection was wider than that (R² in the range of 30˜305 nmol/L=0.978) under luminol CL detection obtained with the commercialized immunoassay kit (AccuLite® CLIA kit for quantifying total T4). Also, the incubation time (25 minutes) of the mixture (T4, T4-HRP conjugate, and T4 antibody-biotin conjugate) in the strip well under OD4MI CL detection is much shorter than that (45 minutes) under luminol CL detection. Also, the limit of detection (LOD=the measurement of zero dose−2 standard deviations=1.6 nmol/L) under OD4MI CL detection was 2 times lower than that (3.3 mmol/L) under luminol CL detection.

The dynamic range of 30˜160 nmol/L (R²=0.994) of calibration curve was obtained when the incubation time between HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂ (see the number 9 of procedure described above.) was 1 minute. The dynamic range was shorter than that obtained at 5 minutes of incubation time. LOD under the former was the same as that under the latter within statistical error range (95% confidence interval). This result indicates that the sensitivity of OD4MI CLEIA is dependent on the incubation time between HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂. Based on the experimental results, the dynamic range of 50˜305 nmol/L (R² in the range of 50˜305 nmol/L=0.990) was obtained when the incubation time between HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂ was increased up to 30 minutes. This result indicates that it is possible to sense low concentration of HRP with the increase of incubation time. However, it was impossible to sense relatively high concentration of HRP because CL emission of relatively high concentration of resorufin, formed from the reaction between HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂, is decreased due to the self quenching of resorufin.

The sensitivity of CLEIA with ODI derivative CL detection was dependent on the properties of ODI derivatives (e.g. ODI, OD2MI, OD2EI, OD4MI). The sensitivity of CLEIA with OD4MI CL detection was better than those with other ODI derivative CL detection (OD4MI>ODI>OD2EI>OD2MI).

TABLE 1 Linearity of T4 OD4MI CLEIA results on sample dilution (n = 8) Dilution Factor Measured T4 (nmol/L) Recovery (%) 1:1 250.0 — 1:2 244.8 97.9 1:4 253.5 101.4  1:8 247.7 99.1

The T4 test sample (250.0 nmol/L) was prepared with a T4 standard sample (305 nmol/L) and human serum not containing T4. The T4 test sample were diluted 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8 using the same human serum. The measured T4 values shown in Table 1 were obtained with multiple of the dilution factor. Table 1 shows the good linearity for percent recoveries obtained with the dilution of test sample.

B. Quantification of Total T4 Using T4-ALP Conjugate and ODI Derivative CL Detection Preparation

Total Human Serum T4 EIA kit capable of quantifying total T4 in human serum with an optical density detection was applied to develop new CLEIA method using ODI derivative CL detection. The kit contains 6 different T4 standards (0˜305 nmol/L), blocking reagent, a mouse monoclonal anti-T4 antibody, T4 conjugated to Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), anti-IgG antibodies linked to magnetic particles, assay buffer (0.25 M Tris/HCl buffer pH 8.0 containing BSA, magnesium and zinc chloride and sodium azide), and washing buffer (0.25 M Tris/HCl buffer pH 7.4 containing BSA, magnesium and zinc chloride and sodium azide).

30 μM FDP dissolved in the phosphatase assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.1 mM CaCl₂, pH 7.0) was prepared as a substrate for ODI derivative CL detection.

1,1′-Oxalyldi-4-methyl-imidazole (OD4MI), one of ODI derivatives was formed from the reaction between 5.0 μM TCPO and 10.0 μM 4-Methylimidazole (4MImH) in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol.

Procedures

-   -   1. Pipette 25 μl standard or test sample into a test tube (10×75         mm)     -   2. Add 50 μl of T4 blocking reagent to the test tube.     -   3. Add 50 μl of T4-labeled ALP to the test tube.     -   4. Add 50 μl of monoclonal anti-T4 antibody to the test tube.     -   5. Cover the test tube and briefly vortex mix.     -   6. Incubate the tube at 37° C. for 10 minutes.     -   7. Add 50 μl of anti-IgG antibodies kinked to magnetic         particles.     -   8. Cover the test tube and briefly vortex mix.     -   9. Incubate the tubes at 37° C. for 25 minutes.     -   10. Decant the supernatant liquid form each tube after         separating magnetic beads using an appropriate magnetic base         (e.g., magnetic bar or magnetic holder).     -   11. Wash the magnetic beads using washing buffer and the         magnetic base. Repeat 2 additional times.     -   12. Add 250 μl of 30 μM FDP to the test tube.     -   13. Cover the tube and briefly vortex mix.     -   14. Incubate the tube at 37° C. shaking slowly for 10 minutes in         the dark.     -   15. Transfer the solution (250 μl) to a centrifuge tube after         the separation of magnetic beads using the magnetic base.     -   16. Pipette 10 μl of working solution into the assigned test         tube (12×75 mm) or strip well. Store the rest in 0.5 ml         centrifuge tube in a refrigerator (4° C.)     -   17. Insert the test tube into a luminometer or the strip well         into a microplate luminometer.     -   18. Read CL emitted when OD4MI and H₂O₂ are added into the test         tube or strip well through two dispensers.

Fluorescein is formed from the reaction of ALP and FDP. The fluorescent product Fluorescein is excited when high-energy intermediate (X), formed from the reaction between OD4MI and H₂O₂, transfers energy to DAPN. And then, the excited Fluorescein emit strong CL (see Scheme 4).

As shown in FIG. 2, the calibration curve having good R² was obtained under the wide concentration range of T4. The dynamic range (30˜305 nmol/L) of CLEIA capable of quantifying T4 using ALP and OD4MI CL detection (FIG. 2) was the same as that capable of quantifying T4 using HRP and OD4MI CL detection (FIG. 1). The sensitivity (LOD) of the former is also similar to that of the latter within statistical error range (95% confidence interval) even though the optimum incubation time between T4-linked ALP and FDP to obtain FIG. 2 was longer than the optimum incubation time between T4-conjugated HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂ to observe FIG. 1.

TABLE 2 Linearity of T4 OD4MI CLEIA results on sample dilution (n = 8) Dilution Factor Measured T4 (nmol/L) Recovery (%) 1:1 250.0 — 1:2 240.8  96.3 1:4 252.7 101.1 1:8 257.9 103.2

The T4 test sample (250.0 nmol/L) was prepared with a T4 standard sample (305 nmol/L) and human serum processed in the T4 OD4MI CLEIA. The T4 test sample were diluted 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8 using the same human serum. The measured T4 values shown in Table 2 were obtained with multiple of the dilution factor. The linearity for percent recoveries obtained with the dilution of test sample shown in Table 2 was as good as that shown in Table 1.

In conclusion, these results indicate that ODI derivative CL detection can be applied to quantify various enzymes (e.g., HRP, ALP) with appropriate substrates (e.g, Amplex Red, OPDA, FDP, MUP, 3-O-methyl fluorescein phosphate).

Example 2 Sandwich CLEIA Procedure A. Quantification of TSH Using TSH Detection Antibody-HRP Conjugate and ODI Derivative CL Detection or ODB Derivative CL Detection Preparation

AccuLite® CLIA kit capable of quantifying TSH with luminol CL detection was used to develop new CLEIA method using ODI derivative CL detection. The kit is composed of 96 strip wells coated with monoclonal TSH primary antibody, TSH detection antibody-HRP conjugate, luminol as a substrate, reaction buffer, and washing buffer.

6 different TSH serum samples (0, 0.5, 2.5, 10, 20, 40 μIU/ml), components of AccuLite® CLIA kit, were used as standard samples.

50 μM Amplex Red reagent containing 2.0 mM H₂O₂ in deionized water were prepared as described in Example 1 (A).

As another substrate for ODI derivative CLEIA, 0.25 mg/ml OPDA containing 20 mM H₂O₂ in deionized water.

OD4MI was formed from the reaction between 5.0 μM TCPO and 10.0 μM 4-Methylimidazole (4MImH) in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol.

As another CL reagent, 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivatives (e.g., 1,1′-oxalyldi-2-sodiumbenzoate (OD2B), 1,1′-oxalyldi-4-sodiumbenzoate (OD4B)) were formed from the reaction between 0.5 mM TCPO and 1.0 mM 2-hydroxybezoic acid sodium salt or 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid sodium salt in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol.

Procedures

-   -   1. Pipette 50 μl of TSH standard or test sample into a strip         well.     -   2. Add 100 μl of TSH detection antibody-HRP conjugate to the         strip well     -   3. Swirl the strip wells for 20 seconds.     -   4. Incubate for 20 minutes at 37° C.     -   5. Discard the contents of each strip wells.     -   6. Wash each plate with 300 μl washing buffer. Repeat four         additional times.     -   7. (a) Add 100 μl working solution containing 50 μM Amplex Red         and 2.0 mM H₂O₂ to each strip well. Or, (b) add 100 μl working         solution containing 0.5 mg/ml OPDA and 20 mM H₂O₂ to each well.     -   8. (a) For the working solution containing 50 μM Amplex Red and         2.0 mM H₂O₂, incubate for 1 minute 30 seconds at room         temperature (21˜23° C.) in the dark. (b) For the working         solution containing 50 μM Amplex Red and 2.0 mM H₂O₂, incubate         10 minutes at room temperature (21˜23° C.) in the dark.     -   9. Transfer the working solution (100 μl) in each strip well         into a 0.5 ml centrifuge tube.     -   10. Pipette 10 μl of working solution into the assigned test         tube (12×75 mm) or strip well. Store the rest in 0.5 ml         centrifuge tube in a refrigerator (4° C.).     -   11. Insert the test tube into a luminometer or the strip well         into a microplate luminometer.

-   12. (a) Read (integration time: 0.5 seconds) emitted CL for 0.5     seconds when OD4MI and H₂O₂ are added into the test tube or strip     well through two dispensers. (b) Read emitted CL for 2.0 seconds     when ODB derivative and H₂O₂ are added into the test tube or strip     well through two dispensers.

A-1. Quantification of TSH in CLEIA Using OD4MI CL Detection and Amplex Red in the Presence of H₂O₂ as a Substrate

As shown in FIG. 3, the calibration curve having good R² was obtained under the wide concentration range of TSH. The dynamic range (0˜40 μIU/ml) under OD4MI CL detection was the same as that (R² in the range of 0.5˜40 μIU/ml=0.994) under luminol CL detection obtained with the commercialized immunoassay kit (AccuLite® CLIA kit for quantifying TSH). However, the total incubation time (21 minute 30 seconds) of the mixture in the strip well under OD4MI CL detection is 2.33 times shorter than that (50 minutes) under luminol CL detection. Also, LOD (the measurement of zero dose+2 standard deviations=0.05 μIU/ml) under OD4MI CL detection was about 2 times lower than that (0.09 μIU/ml) under luminol CL detection.

With the increase of the incubation time, it was possible to determine lower LOD than 0.05 μIU/ml. However, it was impossible to quantify relatively high concentration of TSH because CL emission of relatively high concentration of resorufin, formed from the reaction between HRP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂, is decreased due to the self quenching of resorufin.

A-2. Quantification of TSH in CLEIA Using OD4MI CL Detection and OPDA in the Presence of H₂O₂ as a Substrate

2,3-diaminopherazine (DAPN) is formed when HRP reacts with OPDA in the presence of H₂O₂. The fluorescent product DAPN are excited when high-energy intermediate, formed from the reaction between OD4MI and H₂O₂, transfers energy to DAPN. And then, the excited DAPN emit strong CL (see Scheme 1).

Based on the Schemes 1, low concentration of TSH in human serum was determined using OD4MI CLEIA capable of quantifying DAPN formed from the reaction between TSH detection antibody-HRP conjugate bound with TSH and OPDA in the presence of H₂O₂ for 10 minutes (see #9 of the procedures described above). The calibration curve of 0.5˜40 μIU/ml (R² in the range of 0.5˜40 μIU/ml=0.992) was obtained. However, the LOD (0.2 μIU/ml) in OD4MI CLEIA with OPDA wasn't as good as that (0.05 μIU/ml) with Amplex Red in spite of the long incubation between TSH detection antibody-HRP conjugate bound with TSH and OPDA in the presence of H₂O₂. This is because quantum efficiency of OPDA is lower than that of Amplex Red.

The results in this research indicate that fluorescent products formed from the reaction between HRP and various substrates in the presence of H₂O₂, could be applied to CLEIA with OD4MI CL detection.

A-3. Quantification of TSH in CLEIA Using ODB Derivative CL Detection and Amplex Red in the Presence of H₂O₂ as a Substrate

Using OD4B instead of ODI derivatives, low concentration of TSH was quantified in CLEIA with TSH detection antibody-HRP conjugate and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂. Relative CL intensity measured in OD4B CL detection was 10 times lower than that in ODI derivative CL detection even though the concentration of TCPO used to produce OD4B were 100 times higher than that to form ODI. However, the background noise of the former was about 20 times lower than that of the latter. Due to the properties of OD4B CL, the integration time (2 seconds) of light emitted in OD4B CLEIA was 4 times longer than that in OD4MI CLEIA. Based on the experimental condition of OD4B CLEIA, the LOD (0.04 μIU/ml) and dynamic range (0˜40 μIU/ml, R²=0.998) determined in CLEIA with ODB derivative CL detection were was similar to or the same as those (see Example 2-A-1) obtained with ODI derivative CL detection within the statistical error range (95% confidence interval).

The sensitivity of CLEIA with ODB derivative CL detection was dependent on the properties of ODB derivatives. The LOD of CLEIA with OD4B CL detection was about 3 times lower than that with OD2B CL detection.

B. Quantification of TSH Using TSH Detection Antibody-ALP Conjugate and ODI Derivative CL Detection Preparation

Total Human Serum TSH EIA kit capable of quantifying TSH in human serum with an optical density detection was applied to develop new CLEIA method using ODI derivative CL detection. The kit is composed of magnetic beads coated with monoclonal TSH primary antibody, TSH detection antibody-ALP conjugate, assay buffer, and washing buffer.

6 different TSH serum samples (0, 0.5, 2.5, 10, 20, 40 μIU/ml), components of AccuLite® CLIA kit, were used as standard samples.

As substrates for ODI derivative CL detection, 30 μM FDP and 70 μM MUP dissolved in the phosphatase assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.1 mM CaCl₂, pH 7.0) were prepared.

1,1′-Oxalyldi-4-methyl-imidazole (OD4MI), one of ODI derivatives was formed from the reaction between 5.0 μM TCPO and 10.0 μM 4-Methylimidazole (4MImH) in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol.

Procedures

-   -   1. Pipette 50 μl TSH standard or test sample into a test tube         (10×75 mm).     -   2. Add 50 μl of magnetic beads linked to monoclonal TSH primary         antibody to the test tube.     -   3. Add 250 μl of TSH detecting antibody-labeled ALP to the test         tube.     -   4. Cover the test tube and briefly vortex mix.     -   5. Incubate the tube at 37° C. for 25 minutes.     -   6. Decant the supernatant liquid form each tube after separating         magnetic beads using an appropriate magnetic base (e.g.,         magnetic bar or magnetic holder).     -   7. Wash the magnetic beads using washing buffer and the magnetic         base. Repeat 2 additional times.     -   8. Add 250 μl of 30 μM FDP or 70 μM MUP to the test tube.     -   9. Cover the tube and briefly vortex mix.     -   10. Incubate the tube at 37° C. with shaking slowly for 10         minutes for FDP or 20 minutes for MUP in the dark.     -   11. Transfer the solution (250 μl) to a 0.5 ml centrifuge tube         after the separation of magnetic beads using the magnetic base.     -   12. Pipette 10 μl of working solution into the assigned test         tube (12×75 mm) or strip well. Store the rest in the 0.5 ml         centrifuge tube in a refrigerator (4° C.).     -   13. Insert the test tube into a luminometer or the strip well         into a microplate luminometer.     -   14. Read (integration time: 0.5 seconds) CL emitted when OD4MI         and H₂O₂ are added into the test tube or strip well through two         dispensers.

As shown in FIG. 4, the calibration curve having good R² was obtained under the wide concentration range of TSH in OD4MI CLEIA with 30 μM FDP as a substrate. The dynamic range (0.5˜40 μIU/ml) of CLEIA capable of quantifying TSH using ALP and OD4MI CL detection (FIG. 4) was the same as that capable of quantifying T4 using HRP and OD4MI CL detection (FIG. 3). However, the LOD (0.11 μIU/ml) of the former was 2.2 times higher than that (0.05 μIU/ml) of the latter. Also, the optimum incubation time between TSH detection antibody-linked ALP and FDP shown in FIG. 4 was 6.7 times longer than the optimum incubation time between TSH detection antibody-conjugated ALP and Amplex Red in the presence of H₂O₂ shown in FIG. 2. This is because that relative CL intensity shown in FIG. 4 is lower than that shown in FIG. 2, whereas the background noise in FIG. 4 is higher than that in FIG. 2.

MUP instead of FDP was applied as a substrate in OD4MI CLEIA capable of quantifying TSH. The dynamic range (2.5˜40 μIU/ml) to quantify TSH in OD4MI CLEIA using 70 μM MUP as a substrate was shorter than that (0.5˜400 μIU/ml) using 30 μM FDP. This is because the CL quantum efficiency of 4-methylumbelliferone formed from the reaction between TSH detection antibody-ALP conjugate and MUP is lower than that of fluorescein formed from the reaction between TSH detection antibody-ALP conjugate and FDP.

According to the experimental results, FDP and MUP can be applied as substrates in OD4MI CLEIA to quantify analyte-ALP conjugate. This indicates that other commercialized substrates (e.g., 9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,9-dimethylacridin-2-one-7-yl)phosphate, diammonium salt (DDAO phosphate, 6,8-Difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate DiFMUP), Resorufin-7-β-phosphate, diammonium salt (Res-Phos)) capable of reacting analyte-ALP conjugate to produce fluorescence compounds (Dimethylacridinone (DDAO), 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferone, Resorufin) can also be used as substrates. Also, the sensitivity of OD4MI CLEIA is dependent on the CL quantum efficiency of a fluorescence compound formed from the reaction between an analyte-ALP conjugate and a substrate.

Example 3 Quantification of H₂O₂ for the Analyses of Various Enzymes Using HRP and Substrates Used in ODI or ODB CL Quantification of Glucose Using HRP and Amplex Red

As shown in Scheme 5, H₂O₂ is formed from the reaction of glucose and glucose oxidase. H₂O₂ formed in this reaction reacts with Amplex Red in the presence of HRP to produce resorufin. Resorufin emits light with the addition of OD4MI CL reagents as shown in Scheme 5. In conclusion, the brightness of CL is proportional to the concentration of glucose.

Preparation

8 different glucose serum samples (0, 0.44, 0.88, 1.75, 3.50, 7.00, 14.00, 28.00 μM) were used as standard samples.

50 μM Amplex Red reagent containing 2.0 mM H₂O₂ in deionized water were prepared as described in Example 1 (A).

As another substrate for ODI derivative CL, 0.25 mg/ml OPDA containing 20 mM H₂O₂ in deionized water was prepared.

OD4MI was formed from the reaction between 5.0 μM TCPO and 10.0 μM 4-Methylimidazole (4MImH) in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol.

As another CL reagent, 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivatives (e.g., 1,1′-oxalyldi-2-sodiumbenzoate (OD2B), 1,1′-oxalyldi-4-sodiumbenzoate (OD4B)) were formed from the reaction between 0.5 mM TCPO and 1.0 mM 2-hydroxybezoic acid sodium salt or 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid sodium salt in Ethyl acetate. 100 mM H₂O₂ was prepared in Isopropyl alcohol.

Procedure

-   1. Various concentrations of glucose (0˜28.0 μM) in deionized water     containing standard human serum were prepared as standard solutions     using 0.54 M stock solution. -   2. Human serum samples were diluted 1600 times in deionized water. -   3. 4.7 U/ml glucose oxidase (GO) were prepared in sodium phosphate     buffer (pH 7.0). -   4. 0.8 U/ml horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was prepared in deionized     water. -   5. 4.0 mM Amplex Red was prepared in DMSO. -   6. 100 μl of HRP (0.8 U/ml) and 50 μl of Amplex Red (4.0 mM) were     mixed with 4.85 ml deionized water in a 20-ml vial. -   7. 50 μl of GO (4.7 U/ml) and 50 μl of the mixture of HRP and Amplex     Red were added in strip-wells. -   8. Each 100 μl of standard or sample solution was added in a     strip-well containing GO, HRP, and AR. -   9. The strip-wells containing glucose, GO, HRP, and Amplex Red were     incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. -   10. 10 μl of solution in each strip-well was transferred into a     7.5×12.0 ml test tube. -   11. The test tube was inserted into LB Lumat Luminometer (Berthold     Inc.). -   12. When the start button of the luminometer was pressed, the test     tube moved to the detection area. Then 25 μl of ODI in ethyl acetate     and 25 μl of H₂O₂ in isopropyl alcohol were injected into the test     tube using two dispensers. -   13. Finally, CL light emitted in the test tube was measured for 0.5     second.

As shown in FIG. 5, a wide linear calibration curve (0.43˜28.0 μM) capable of quantifying glucose in human serum was obtained. LOD and LOQ of the method for the quantification of glucose were 0.11 and 0.36 μM, respectively. Thus, the sensitivity of the analytical method with ODI CL detection was at least 10 times better than that of other techniques with absorbance, electrochemical and fluorescence.

TABLE 3 Intra-assay and inter-assay for the quantification of glucose in human serum Intra-assay (n = 7)¹ Inter-assay (n = 24)² Concentration¹ CV (%)² Concentration¹ CV (%)² 1 7.30 2.2 7.46 4.3 2 7.23 6.3 7.52 4.9 3 15.46 2.1 15.77 3.5 4 12.15 2.7 12.09 3.3 5 8.94 2.4 9.01 4.4 ¹The experiment for each sample was repeated 7 times. ²The experiment for each sample was repeated 3 times every day for 8 days. ³μM ⁴Confidence of variable

The results of intra-assay and inter-assay shown in Table 3 indicate that the new biosensor can quantify trace levels of glucose in human serum with excellent accuracy and precision.

2,3-diaminopherazine (DAPN) is formed when H₂O₂ reacts with OPDA in the presence of HRP. The fluorescent product DAPN is excited when high-energy intermediate, formed from the reaction between OD4MI and H₂O₂, transfers energy to DAPN. And then, the excited DAPN emits strong CL (see Scheme 1). Thus, low concentration of glucose in human serum was determined using OD4MI CL. A calibration curve in the range of 0.43˜28 μM (R²=0.994) was obtained. However, the LOD (0.34 μM) determined with OPDA was not as good as that (0.11 μM) determined with Amplex Red. This is because quantum efficiency of OPDA is lower than that of Amplex Red.

Using OD4B instead of ODI derivatives, low concentration of glucose was quantified. Relative CL intensity measured in OD4B CL detection was 10 times lower than that measured in ODI derivative CL detection even though the concentration of TCPO used to produce OD4B were 100 times higher than that used to form ODI. However, the background noise of the former was about 20 times lower than that of the latter. Due to the properties of OD4B CL, the integration time (2 seconds) of light emitted in OD4B CL was 4 times longer than that emitted in OD4MI CL. Based on the experimental condition of OD4B CL, the LOD (0.14 μU/ml) and dynamic range (0.43˜28.00 μM, R²=0.996) determined with ODB derivative CL detection were similar to or the same as those obtained with ODI derivative CL detection within the statistical error range (95% confidence interval).

The sensitivity of ODB derivative CL detection was dependent on the properties of ODB derivatives. The LOD of OD4B CL detection was about 3 times lower than that of OD2B CL detection.

In conclusion, the results shown in examples for the quantification of glucose indicate that various enzymes in a human sample can be quantified as the concentration of H₂O₂ formed when one of these enzymes reacts with a specific enzyme oxidase is determined using HRP, a substrate (e.g., Amplex Red, DAPN), and a CL detection (e.g., ODI derivative CL, ODB derivative CL). Non-limited examples of the various enzymes include acetylcholine, catalase, cholesterol, choline, galactose, glucose, glutamine, phosphate, uric acid.

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of quantifying antigen or antibody-labeled enzymes, comprising: adding a peroxyoxalate reagent and hydrogen peroxide to a chemiluminescent immunoassay comprising the antigen or antibody-labeled enzyme to be quantified, wherein the peroxyoxalate reagent is selected from the group consisting of 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivatives and 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivatives; and correlating chemiluminescence emission intensity to antigen or antibody-labeled enzyme quantity.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the correlating step comprises plotting a calibration curve based on sample concentration on the x-axis and chemiluminescence intensity on the y-axis, wherein concentration of the sample is determined using the calibration curve and chemiluninescence emission measured in the presence of each test sample.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding an enzyme appropriate substrate.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ODI derivative is 1,1′-Oxalyldiimidazole; 1,1′-Oxalyldi-2-methyl-imidazole (OD2MI); 1,1′-Oxalyldi-2-ethyl-imidazole (OD2EI); or 1,1′-Oxalyldi-4-methyl-imidazole (OD4MI).
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ODB derivative is 1,1′-oxalyldi-2-sodiumbenzoate (OD2B) or 1,1′-oxalyldi-4-sodiumbenzoate (OD4B).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises Amplex Red, OPDA, FDP, MUP, 9H-(1,3-dichlor-9,9-dimethylacridin-2-one-7-yl)phosphate, diammonium salt phosphate, 6,8-Difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (DiFMUP), Resorufin-7-O-phosphate, diammonium salt (Res-Phos), or 3-O-methyl fluorscein phosphate.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction of hydrogen peroxide to an ODI derivative or a DOB derivative yields a high energy intermediate which energizes a fluorescent dye.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the fluorescent dye is Dimethylacridinone (DDA), Resorufin, or Fluorescein.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the enzyme comprises horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLEIA) is a sandwich CLEIA, a competitive CLEIA, or an indirect CLEIA.
 11. An immunoassay kit, comprising: an antigen or antibody-linked enzyme; a substrate; and a peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (POCL) reagent.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the POCL reagent is a 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivative or a 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivative.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the ODI derivative is 1,1′-Oxalyldiimidazole; 1,1′-Oxalyldi-2-methyl-imidazole (OD2MI); 1,1′-Oxalyldi-2-ethyl-imidazole (OD2EI); or 1,1′-Oxalyldi-4-methyl-imidazole (OD4MI).
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the ODB derivative is 1,1′-oxalyldi-2-sodiumbenzoate (OD2B) or 1,1′-oxalyldi-4-sodiumbenzoate (OD4B).
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the substrate comprises Amplex Red, OPDA, FDP, MUP, 9H-(1,3-dichlor-9,9-dimethylacridin-2-one-7-yl)phosphate, diammonium salt phosphate, 6,8-Difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (DiFMUP), Resorufin-7-O-phosphate, diammonium salt (Res-Phos), or 3-O-methyl fluorscein phosphate.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the enzyme comprises horseradish peroxidase or alkaline phosphatase.
 17. A method of quantifying concentration of one or more enzymes in a human sample, comprising quantifying hydrogen peroxide concentration which is formed when the one or more enzymes reacts with a specific enzyme oxidase, and the hydrogen peroxide concentration is determined using HRP, a substrate, and CL detection.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the CL detection comprises ODI derivative chemiluminescence or ODB derivative chemiluminescence. 